Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-16
C. B. No. 25.

WALKERvILLE, February IL, 1S87.-A
there are matters of great Importance &C
curing every day at the Territorial capital
the action Of those persons, supposed to b
representing the people, employer and EN-
plOyes alike it is fit and proper that We. tn
people, should exhibit more than ordinary
interest in the proceedings and procedure O
| the honorable body there assembled. Mo-
| will it be denied the right Of those, who's,
exercise of the right OF suffrage called, thos,
honorable gentlemen to the legislative
halls of the Territory, to enact avs for thu
better supervision and government of this
people, to signify their approval or disap
prevail OF the actions of these, their serv'
ants. Neither can the effects be other than
beneficial. So it is for the above reasons,
that 1 venture to hope that you will not
disregard, nor refuse space to the few re-
marks I wish to make to the people on a
bill lately introduced into the Council OF
the Territorial Legislature.
The bill l have referred to is known as
Council Bill No. rs, designated San act to
provide for the erection of a territorial
prison. and the custody and labor OF terri
torial prisoners" A copy OF said bill was
this day placed III my hands. and after
careful reading OF the same. would suggest
as q more appropriate title, that it be
known as. An act to provide for the main
tenance OF Messrs. John r. King and T. s.
Ash, and the replacing. as far as possible,
of honest labor by convict labor. This is
the whole sum and substance OF this bill.
1t provides that the aforesaid John R.
King and T. s. Ash shall furnish material
for, and forty acres of desert land on which
to build q territorial prison, and in consid-
GRAFTON thereof they are to receive the la.
Dor and service of all territorial convicts
f.,no %ho 1,~k law. fNokohon 1907 70 %ho
first day of October, 1897. free to apply
and make use of az they see fit. They also
are to be granted a supervising architect.
at the territorial expense, to superintend
the construction OF said prison. They also
are to be granted the right to use the labor
of the convicts in constructing said prison,
and last, but not least, they are to be
the same ratesfor the custody and
maintenance OF said cnnvicts while in their
and service; as are now provided by
law, j. e., they are to have the services If
these %convicts for their wi benefit, and
the people OF this Territory, must pay
them for boarding, lodging and guarding
said convicts. It is q well-laid scheme.
Will they succeed in their attempts to use
our legislative body for a cats paw? Will
our Legislature wi!fully and deliberately
give such extensive and autocratic powers
~ ouy WV oiku AWAY LIZ
services and liberties. in q measure. of these |
for a mere %pittance? What is q !
territorial prison, weighed in the balance
against the right to own and control the
of 100 or more men for the space of |
en- years.
What is the value OF a Territorial prison
Ompared to the labOr of this small army OF
nen engaged for the next ten years in con-
tructing the gigantic %irrigating bitches
which will spread like a net work over the
reat valleys of the Missouri and Yellow
tone. In constructing the many railroads
7hich will carry the commerce of the Terri
DRY beyond it's borders, aye, and in the
caring OF the many warehouses, mills, fac
Dries and other enterprises given birth by
free and energetic people. How many
onest men will be driven from the work
and the fields, from the mills and the
lines of this Territory if this outrageous
'easure come to pass? 1t would be an in
ut to the manhood of every mar within
ne borders Of this Territory tn enter con-
cts into direct competition with him. The
orking classes in this Territory are fully
i've to the many dangers that menace
ore so than ever before, and they anx-
usly regard every act OF their Representa-
yes as ready to approve when beneficial
to condemn when otherwise. In Helena
mass meeting is called for February 10 to
scuss the many obnoxious features of ,
lis bill, to signify their condemnation OF I
% same, and to urge upon the Legislature
} rejection. Will their efforts be crowned t
deserved success? The people OF Mon
ma await the answer. Were these few re-
arks not already extended too long, per- il
sps to secure space in your valued paper,
would speak of other measures considered
ID to be considered by the honorable y
gislature, viz: The Gag Law" Lien c
Board of Arbitration bill" and
hers Of as great Importance. But, if this -
granted publication will reserve them for =
other time. VOy POPuLI. u